IEEE Power Engineering Society Entity Annual Report 2013
Entity: Surge Protective Devices Committee

2013 Chair: Antony Surtees
2013 Vice-Chair: Ron Hotchkiss
2013 Secretary: Carey Mossop

1. Significant Accomplishments:
Progress in Developing Standards:
IEEE Standard C62.33, Standard for Test Methods and Performance Values of Metal-Oxide Varistor Surge Protective Components, is being revised and updated to reflect the latest technology and methods of testing. The revised standard is expected to be published in 2014.

A new IEEE Standard C62.69, Standard for the Surge Parameters of Isolating Transformers Used in Networking Devices and Equipment, has been drafted and balloted. Comment resolution is currently underway. The revised standard is expected to be published in 2014.

A group of new projects have been started relating to the work covered in IEEE Standard C62.42, Guide for the Application of Surge-Protective Components in Surge Protective Devices and Equipment Ports – Overview.

This project includes a revision of C62.42 and four new standards dedicated to specific areas previously covered in C62.42, including:

  • C62.42.1 – Guide for the Application of Surge-Protective Components in Surge Protective Devices and Equipment Ports – Part 1 Gas Discharge Tubes (GDTs)
  • C62.42.2 – Guide for the Application of Surge-Protective Components in Surge Protective Devices and Equipment Ports – Part 2 Metal-Oxide Varistors (MOVs)
  • C62.42.3 – Guide for the Application of Surge-Protective Components in Surge Protective Devices and Equipment Ports – Part 3 Silicon PN-Junction Clamping Diodes
  • C62.42.4 – Guide for the Application of Surge-Protective Components in Surge Protective Devices and Equipment Ports – Part 4 Thermally Activated Current Limiters

All of the above are being or have been drafted and C62.42.1 is undergoing ballot comment resolution.
New projects related to the existing projects above include:

  • PC62.59 which will define the Test and Performance Methods for C62.42.3 listed above
  • PC62.42.5 which will cover the application of Electronic Current Limiters
  • PC62.42.6 which will cover the application of Thyristor Surge Protective Components
  • PC62.42.7 which will cover the application of LAN System Isolation Transformers

NesCom and RevCom metrics:
2013 PAR extensions:

PC62.72, Guide for the Application of Surge-Protective Devices for Low Voltage (1000 Volts or Less) AC Power Circuits
Approved request for an extension until December 2015
The draft of this guide has been completed and will be balloted early in 2014. This revision includes significant contributions and expansion that will be very useful to the industry. The document will cover both externally generated and internally generated surges.

PC62.92.2 , Guide for the Application of Neutral Grounding in Electrical Utility Systems Part II – Synchronous Generator Systems
NesCom Meeting Minutes 10 December 2013
Approved request for an extension until December 2015

PC62.92.4, Guide for the Application of Neutral Grounding in Electrical Utility Systems, Part IV – Distribution
Approve request for an extension until December 2014
This guide has been through ballot and is currently undergoing ballot comment resolution.

2013 New PARs:
PC62.11, Standard for Metal-Oxide Surge Arresters for AC Power Circuits (>1 kV)
Approved PAR for the revision of a standard until December 2017
Goals: The overall plan is to include transmission line arresters, more ground lead disconnector requirements, and include the Externally Gapped Line Arrester (EGLA)

PC62.22, Guide for the Application of Metal-Oxide Surge Arresters for Alternating-Current Systems
Approved PAR for the revision of the standard until December 2017.

PC62.42, Guide for the Application of Surge-Protective Components in Surge Protective Devices and Equipment Ports – Overview
Approved PAR for the revision of a standard until December 2017

PC62.42.1, Guide for the Application of Surge-Protective Components in Surge Protective Devices and Equipment Ports – Part 1 Gas Discharge Tubes (GDTs)
Approved PAR until December 2017

PC62.42.2, Guide for the Application of Surge-Protective Components in Surge Protective Devices and Equipment Ports – Part 2 Metal-Oxide Varistors (MOVs)
Approved PAR until December 2017

PC62.42.3, Guide for the Application of Surge-Protective Components in Surge Protective Devices and Equipment Ports – Part 3 Silicon PN-Junction Clamping Diodes
Approved new PAR until December 2017

PC62.42.4, Guide for the Application of Surge-Protective Components in Surge Protective Devices and Equipment Ports – Part 4 Thermally Activated Current Limiters
Approved PAR until December 2017

PC62.69, Standard for the Surge Parameters of Isolating Transformers Used in Networking Devices and Equipment
Approved PAR until December 2017

PC62.92.1, Guide for the Application of Neutral Grounding in Electric Utility Systems, Part I-Introduction
Approved PAR until December 2015

2013 New approved and published Standards/Amendments/Corrigenda:
PC62.22a (PE/SPDHV), Guide for the Application of Metal-Oxide Surge Arresters for Alternating-Current Systems Amendment: Supplement to Consider Energy Handling Capabilities

C62.37.1, Guide for the Application of Thyristor Surge Protective Devices

C62.39, Test Methods for Self-Restoring Current Limiter Components used in Telecommunication

C62.41.2 Cor 1, Recommended Practice on Characterization of Surges in Low-Voltage (1000 V and less) AC Power Circuits – Corrigendum 1

New Category D Liaisons Approved:

The SPDC had two Category D liaisons approved by the IEC Strategic Management Board in 2013:

2013-05-27 SMB/5017A/RV

The SMB has therefore approved the request from IEC SC 37A to establish a Category D
Liaison between IEC SC 37A/WG 3 and four working groups of the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE), Power Engineering Society (PES), Surge Protective Devices Committee (SPDC) Working Groups:
WG 3.6.11 – Wind Power Facilities Electrical Protection Guide
WG 3.6.12 – Photovoltaic Facilities Electrical Protection Guide
WG 3.6.13 – Smart Grid Electrical Protection Guide
WG 3.6.14 – EVSE (Electric Vehicle Service Equipment) Surge Protection Guide

2013-12-16 SMB/5160A/RV

The SMB has therefore approved the request from IEEE SPDC WG 3.6.2 Surge Protective Components to establish a Category D Liaison with IEC SC 37B WG3.

The SPDC has two existing Category D Liaisons, both from WG3.6.2 one to IEC SC37B MT1 and the other to IEC 37B MT2. With the new SC37B WG3 one, WG 3.6.2 has Category D Liaisons with every operational group of SC 37B.

Existing Category D Liaisons and Liaisons with other Organizations:
IEC SC37A
IEC TC81
IEC TC37
IEC SC37B
ITU-T Study Group 5

Website and Web Presence (pes-spdc.org):
Significant progress has been made in the development of the IEEE PES SPDC Websites. The new home page and file/discussion repository is up and running with great success. SPDC members and interested parties have access to online collaboration through this site.

2013 Results for pes-spdc.org:

A comparison of 2011, 2012 and 2013 metrics are:

  • unique visitors 100, 4,035 and 11,686 (up +190% on 2012)
  • visits 302, 7,890 and 20,548 (up +160% on 2012)
  • pages viewed 10,497, 45,431 and 217,995 (up +380% on 2012)

In 2013 significant events were:

  • over 50 % of our 2013 visitors were not US based (international reach).
  • our tutorial on “Impulse generators for testing low-voltage equipment” was downloaded over 6,000 times making it our highest document download by a factor of twenty.
  • our most viewed 2013 Forum thread was “Is an isolating transformer a surge protective component (SPC)?” at 2,519 views.
  • Google was our highest linking search engine taking 2,887 searchers to pes-spdc.org.
  • redirects from the old grouper site brought in some 800 browsers to pes-spdc.org.

2013 saw the SPD grouper site pages made into pes-spdc.org redirects and the closure of the IEEE On-line Community Surge Protective Devices Forum. Moving the Discussions, Media and Files content from the SPD Forum to the pes-spdc.org site made the SPD Forum redundant, allowing its closure. As a result the pes-spdc.org site had new forums pages and a new contribution (files) areas (private and public). An improved user registration and login facility was put in place along with the creation of a site newsletter that anyone can sign up to.

2014 Goals for pes-spdc.org

  • Increase traffic through new tutorials, forum discussions and the use of electronic standards development
  • Make proposals and give training materials on home videoconferencing
  • Maintenance of existing content
  • Update the site design to be responsive, making it mobile/desktop compatible, see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Responsive_web_design
  • Continue to maintain and look at ways of improving our online meeting registration and payment site

Participation:
Our emerging technology working groups are drawing great interest from other technical committees and creating participation from other countries. We experienced a significant increase in international participation for a number of working groups in 2013 and intend to continue to foster and encourage that effort in 2014.

2. Benefits to Industry and PES Members from the Committee Work:
The work of the SPDC regarding surge protective devices is used by a number of other technical committees in both the high voltage and low voltage areas. The transmission and distribution industries are highly influence by the standards of the SPDC. For example, C62.11 is the primary high voltage arrester test standard and the industry benefits by its timely and accurate updates. The latest revision will include the latest MOV-type High Voltage SPDs entering the market.

In the low voltage surge protective devices industry, nearly every low voltage SPD manufacturer uses and tests to the standards established by the SPDC. Further, the SPDC has cooperatively worked with other organizations such as Underwriters Laboratories, the Canadian Standards Association and NEMA to coordinate and harmonize the application and testing of surge protective devices within their standards. The SPDC and its members lead standards development in these industries.

The SPDC is working to develop leadership and member training material to prepare current and future members and leaders for larger roles in the Technical Committee’s work and in the standards development process. This same effort has been continued by the SPDC leadership’s participation in the PES Technical Council Task Forces on Leadership and Member Training.

3. Benefits to Volunteer Participants from the Committee Work:
SPDC participants are provided opportunities to further their education via interaction with their peers in the surge protection industry and are exposed to current best methods in providing protection to systems.
As an example, Christine Goldsworthy was named the Vice Chair of Working Group 3.3.11 and is in training for Chair position over the next few years and is the new Secretary for the Technical Committee. The efforts of the various SPDC working groups provide a definite leadership training benefit.

4. Recognition of Outstanding Performance:
This year the Surge Protective Devices Committee had three members who were recognized with Standards Medallions. These included the following:

Kenneth Brown was recognized for his service to the SPDC as Chair and continuous contributions and leadership in several low voltage working groups. Ken has also directed the formation of and leads the Surge Protection of Electric Vehicle Service Equipment working group that was formed this year. This emerging technology area is of particular interest to Ken and he is an expert in this subject. While serving in the past as Chair of the Committee and presently as working group chair, Ken continuously works to harmonize the efforts of the SPDC with other standards development organizations through his leadership in those groups.

Albert Martin was also recognized with a Standards Medallion. Al has been a pioneer in the protection industry in the areas of data and telecom systems. He has developed a very effective method of standards development through the use of online collaboration tools and monthly standards development working group meetings. His group has produced high quality standards consistently at astounding rates.

James Wilson was recognized for decades of service and contributions to standards and the standards development process. He has served as the High Voltage Subcommittee’s Standard Coordinator for over thirteen years. Jim also serves as a USNC HV IEC TC 37 TAG and TC 37A-B TAG liaison member.

The committee would also like to recognize Michael “Mick” Maytum for his continuous devotion to the improvement of the SPDC’s online presence and collaboration tools. The SPDC is indebted to Mick for his outstanding contributions. Mick has single-handedly established our very own website/online community where the members can research the activities of the committee and make contributions to standards online.

5. Coordination with Other Entities (PES Committees, CIGRE, standards, etc.):
SPDC held a joint meeting with IEC TC37 MT4 and MT10 and with CIGRE A3.25 in 2013. The SPDC regularly meets with these groups.

SPDC held a joint meeting with IEC SC 37B in 2013.

Working Group 3.3.11 is closely coordinated with the IEC TC37 MT4 working group that is responsible for IEC 60099-4 the equivalent to IEEE C62.11. Much of the work between the standard development bodies in this area is being harmonized.

Working Group 3.4.18 on Insulation Coordination is closely monitoring and contributing to the project P1862 on Insulation Coordination for system above 1,000 kV.

The SPDC also interfaces with the Intelligent Grid Coordinating Committee regarding the development of application guidance on surge protection intended for the Smart Grid.

Further, the SPDC was recognized by IEEE-SA as a key point of interest with regard to its efforts on developing standards for Smart Grid.

6. New Technologies of Interest to the Committee:
The Externally Gapped Line Arrester is a new arrester type for the IEEE PES market. It uses both old and new technology to produce a new type of line protection. This area is being investigated by the High Voltage Subcommittee via Working Group 3.3.11.

Additional areas that the SPDC has recently formed working groups and launched projects on emerging technology topics include:

WG 3.6.11 – Wind Power Facilities Electrical Protection Guide
Chair: Kenneth Brown
E-mail: kbrown@leviton.com
Surge protection guidance for electrical equipment and systems with voltages of 1000 V(ac) and 1500 V(dc) or less within a wind power facility or wind generation structure. Included within this scope are communications and data acquisition equipment and associated circuitry and interfaces.

WG 3.6.12 – Photovoltaic Facilities Electrical Protection Guide
Chair: Dr. A. J. (Tony) Surtees
E-mail: surtees@ieee.org
Surge protection guidance for electrical equipment and systems with voltages of 1000 V(ac) and 1500 V(dc) or less within a photovoltaic facility or installation.
Included within this scope are communications and data acquisition equipment and associated circuitry and interfaces.

WG 3.6.13 – Smart Grid Electrical Protection Guide
Chair: Matt Wakeham
E-mail: matthew.wakeham@gmail.com
Surge protection guidance for electrical equipment and systems with voltages of 1000 V(ac) and 1500 V(dc) or less for components of the Smart Grid. Included within this scope are communications and data acquisition equipment and associated circuitry and interfaces. Additionally, there are cases, which involve smart grid equipment attaching or coupling to higher voltage circuits such as electric utility medium voltage distribution. This scope is not limited to providing guidance for such matters.

WG 3.6.14 – EVSE (Electric Vehicle Service Equipment) Surge Protection Guide
Chair: Kenneth Brown
E-mail: KBrown@leviton.com
Provides surge protection guidance for electrical equipment and systems with voltages of 1000 V (ac) and 1500 V (dc) or less involved with electric vehicle infrastructure. Included within this scope are communications and data acquisition equipment and associated circuitry and interfaces.

7. Significant Plans for the Next Period:
Working Group 3.3.11 of the High Voltage Subcommittee plans to include more paper presentations, tutorials and start the inclusion of transmission line arresters into the C62.11 standard. The C62.11 standard is a highly used standard in the industry.

The SPDC will look further into incorporating testing and application guidance for DC-based SPDs for various applications including “DC in the home” or “DC in the building” to coordinate with the upcoming efforts in the industry.

Our emerging technology working groups are drawing great interest from other technical committees and creating participation from other countries. We experienced a significant increase in international participation for a number of working groups in 2013 and intend to continue to foster and encourage that effort in 2014.

2014 Goals for pes-spdc.org (SPDC Website)

  • Increase traffic through new tutorials, forum discussions and the use of electronic standards development
  • Make proposals and give training materials on home videoconferencing
  • Update the site design to be responsive, making it mobile/desktop compatible, see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Responsive_web_design
  • Continue to maintain and look at ways of improving our online meeting registration and payment site
  • Utilize the tools provided by the IEEE Standards Association to assist with online collaboration and meetings

Submitted by: Ronald W Hotchkiss, Chair Date: January 22, 2014